National Park Foundation grants connect youth to parks through educational programs, help inspire people to become the next generation of park stewards, and also protect and preserve our national parks. Our programs help expand and upgrade trails, restore landscapes, protect threatened habitats and wildlife, and preserve historic places.

In all my time in our national parks, I’ve become aware of places within the parks that are perhaps overlooked. I call them “places within places.” Many of these special spots would be recommended by park rangers if people asked them, “What is there to see and do here?”

I’d like to share several of these spots with you today and I’ll tell you about more in another blog post later this year. (Stay tuned!)

That something for Manish Mamtani is photographing America’s national parks. From capturing dark night skies to bear sightings, Manish recently chatted with us about his photography and his love of national parks.

Last week, President Obama announced “Every Kid in a Park,” a new effort to welcome four million fourth graders to national parks and public lands during the 2015-16 academic year, and we are thrilled.

It’s been a fun-filled month of making plans, setting park resolutions in motion, and getting the year started off on a great path! Here’s what we were up to this month, just in case you missed any of the exciting developments.